Matt Cusimano v. Abesco Distributing Company, Inc., et al
Published: Dec. 4, 1993 | Result Date: Sep. 27, 1993 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 522632 – $795,000
Facts
In 1980 the State of California came out with Codes providing for state approval of permanent foundation systems for mobile homes and manufactured buildings. Plaintiff Matt Cusimano allegedly created a permanent foundation stantion for mobile homes. He put together a corporation and found a manufacturer in Sacramento to produce his new invention. When his original foundation stantion failed the new state standards for load-bearing capacity and deflection, Plaintiff reworked the stantion so that it passed all requirements. During the application process for state approval, Plaintiff's personal life necessitated a move; and so, Plaintiff left the business to be run by his partners. In 1990, while bidding an iron work job at a mobile home park in the Lancaster/Palmdale area, Cusimano chanced upon a crew installing a permanent foundaiton system under a mobile home. He allegedly recognized the stantions being used as his own invention. He learned that Defendant Abesco Distributing of Sacramento was the manufacturer and that one of his former partners was doing the engineering for the annual renewals for state approval.
Settlement Discussions
Plaintiff contends he demanded $350,000 and Defendants offered $125,000 structured.
Damages
Compensatory damages of from $200,000 to $800,000; punitive damages on the basis of gross profit figures.
Deliberation
9.5 hours
Poll
12-0
Length
7 days
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